H.R.3916 - My Body, My Data Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3916, the "My Body, My Data Act of 2025," aims to protect the privacy of personal reproductive and sexual health information. It establishes rules for regulated entities regarding the collection, retention, use, and disclosure of such information. The bill also grants individuals rights to access, correct, and delete their personal reproductive or sexual health data.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would create a legal framework to safeguard sensitive health information from misuse and unauthorized access. It would empower individuals with greater control over their reproductive and sexual health data. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be responsible for enforcement, and individuals could also bring civil actions for violations.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced privacy protections for sensitive reproductive and sexual health information.
- Increased individual control over personal health data through rights of access, correction, and deletion.
- Greater transparency regarding data practices of regulated entities through required privacy policies.
- Prohibition against retaliation for exercising rights under the Act.
- Potential for increased trust in healthcare providers and technology companies handling sensitive data.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential compliance costs for regulated entities, particularly small businesses.
- Possible ambiguity in the definition of "personal reproductive or sexual health information," leading to legal challenges.
- Risk of over-regulation, potentially hindering research and innovation in the healthcare sector.
- Potential for increased litigation due to the private right of action.
- Possible limitations on data sharing for legitimate public health purposes.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on data privacy aligns with the spirit of the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. While the Fourth Amendment primarily applies to governmental actions, the bill extends similar protections to personal information held by private entities. The First Amendment is addressed directly in Section 8, which states that nothing in the Act shall be construed to limit or diminish First Amendment freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).